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In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned business called the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, run by three generations of the Harrison family: Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Now License to Pawn takes readers behind the scenes of the hit History show Pawn Stars and shares the fascinating life story of its star, Rick Harrison, and the equally intriguing story behind the shop, the customers, and the items for sale.
Rick hasn't had it easy. He was a math whiz at an early age, but developed a similarly uncanny ability to find ever-deepening trouble that nearly ruined his life. With the birth of his son, he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and they started their booming business together.
License to Pawn also offers an entertaining walk through the pawn shop's history. It's a captivating look into how the Gold & Silver works, with incredible stories about the crazy customers and the one-of-a-kind items that the shop sells. Rick isn't only a businessman; he's also a historian and keen observer of human nature. For instance, did you know that pimps wear lots of jewelry for a reason? It's because if they're arrested, jewelry doesn't get confiscated like cash does, and ready money will be available for bail. Or that WWII bomber jackets and Zippo lighters can sell for a freakishly high price in Japan? Have you ever heard that the makers of Ormolu clocks, which Rick sells for as much as $15,000 apiece, frequently died before forty thanks to the mercury in the paint?
Rick also reveals the items he loves so much he'll never sell. The shop has three Olympic bronze medals, a Patriots Super Bowl ring, a Samurai sword from 1490, and an original Iwo Jima battle plan. Each object has an incredible story behind it, of course. Rick shares them all, and so much more--there's an irresistible treasure trove of history behind both the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the life of Rick Harrison.
Host of the History Channel'sPawn Starsunsentimentally breaks down the curious world of buying and selling pre-owned merchandise.
Harrison's straight-shooting business style adapts well to the pages of a memoir brimming with stories of his 20-plus years at the family-run World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Before dropping out of school in the 10th grade, the author recalls a San Diego childhood spent people-watching and reading, yet marred by debilitating grand mal seizures and "fatalistic" drug abuse that led to rehab at age 14. Since his father ("Old Man") was a gold dealer and his "new-era" mother dabbled in real estate, both livelihoods honed his interest in commercial commerce. When the family relocated to Las Vegas, the author was hooked. Trolling swap meets fed a need to unearth the "overlooked treasures" of estate sales, and once his father opened his dream pawn shop, Harrison and Keown dictate a continuous strand of stories about the customers pawning their frequently odd sale items at Harrison's "poor person's bank" (there's a 10 percent monthly interest rate). Desperation takes many forms. Twenty bucks can sell a pair of alligator cowboy boots or a Gucci bag, but more lucrative (and outlandish) sales feature a gold tooth (extracted on-site) or one of the shop's prized possessions: authentic Iwo Jima battle plans hand-drawn in color. Throughout his career, Harrison has balanced failed business endeavors (in-house gold refinement) with impeccable negotiation skills and eagle-eye appraisals that have prevented the acquisition of fake Confederate swords and Rolex watches. The author lives and breathes his subject matter, but his voice, too-often oscillating between a hard-nosed tradesman and a starry-eyed TV personality, lacks the immediacy of his on-camera persona. Fans of unorthodox trades will find his tales shocking yet tastefully delivered, yet lacking the punch of the visual medium.
A fascinating guided tour of what Harrison calls "the greatest business in the world."
Nick_Reading
Posted June 25, 2011
This book keeps you going!! You can't wait to find out more and even at 1:20am keep flipping along. Plus the NOOK price can't be beat.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This autobiography is told in an honest and unassuming way. I found out trivia on not only antiques but contemporary items as well. This man pulled himself up by the bootstraps and turned around his life. More power to him!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2012
This was an interesting peek at the behind the scenes look at the show and the interesting people that make up the cast. I wish the book was longer.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2012
I like it thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kiva124
Posted March 18, 2012
This book is awesome. The best thing about it is that if you have seen the show you can hear Rick, Old Man, Cory, and Chumlee voices as you read the book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 10, 2012
Best true story.. They're so smart, even Chumlii is getting a LITTLE smarter ! ! Don't wait,,,,put it on your e-reader
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SandMI
Posted January 18, 2012
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!! It was fun to read about the guys backgrounds and what got them into the pawn business. I have watched the show on TV for a long time and can't wait for the next episode each time. My husband will be reading the book soon, but I find myself giving little things about it away while we are watching the show!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 14, 2012
This book really gives a good insight on the lives of the Pawn Stars crew and their everyday lives.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 6, 2012
If you are a fan of the hit TV Show, "Pawn Stars" , you will love this book. Well-written, it is entertaining and informative from the first page. One of the things that I liked the best was the way that Rick said that reading practically saved his life and to this day, he is an avid reader. I highly recommend this book. It is a treat!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 25, 2011
Only read sample but is makeing me want to read more highly recomend
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DannyBoy1982
Posted November 23, 2011
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the show. It really allows you to see some of the inner workings of the pawn shop and the history behind it. I found it very intersting to read about some of the stories behind alot of the crazier customers and some of the pieces you see on the shelves on the show.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Altuna54
Posted October 30, 2011
I'm a big fan of the show, though I think it may have ran it's course. That being said, the book contains some very interesting stories. Also perspectives from all the characters on the show is a nice touch. It's not heavy reading but very entertaining with an educational touch. Would recommend it ! You go Chumlee !
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 9, 2011
FOR ANYONE WHO LIKES THE TV SHOW IT GIVES AN INSITE INTO THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AT THE PAWN SHOP. LOTS OF LAUGHS TOO. GOOD BOOK.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love Pawn Stars! I'm eleven, and I want this book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.484520
Posted September 4, 2011
I wish there was more pictures of the stuff they had in the shop.
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Posted August 28, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a fan of the show, and I felt like I got to know Rick and the others on the show much better. I would recommend this book, especially if you watch the show. It was a fun read.
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Posted August 17, 2011
If you like the show you will kove this book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RangerAJ
Posted August 8, 2011
If you are a fan of Pawn Stars, or even a supporter of the great American Dream. This book is great.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.marizaizme
Posted July 25, 2011
Even if you haven't seen the show I think you'd find this book interesting. It's really about their lives before the show took over the shop and the characters and plots that engrossed their lives. I wish the book was longer because it was so enjoyable.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.VishVD
Posted June 22, 2011
Nice
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned business called the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, run by three generations of the Harrison family: Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Now License to Pawn takes readers behind the scenes of the hit History show Pawn Stars and shares the fascinating life story of its star, Rick Harrison, and the equally intriguing story behind the shop, the customers, and the items for sale.
Rick hasn't had it easy. He was a math whiz at an early age, but developed a similarly uncanny ability to find ever-deepening trouble that nearly ruined his ...